I've run it four times, 2006 - 2009. Tried to register last year but wasn't selected. I find it usually gets in the way of marathon training. This year I'm running the marathon leg of a 140.6 relay in Atlantic City the Sunday before the PRR, so I guess I'll let it pass. (Plus the registration/processing/mailing fees are ridiculous.)

Thanks for all the congrats's! We are getting excited about the baby boy!

Start corral will probably be decided close to race day once we have a better idea of weather. I'm considering starting in the back of my corral and then hopping off onto the sidewalk (once I clear the fencing) to let the faster runners go by. I may go all the way to the back if we get the unusual cool July day. I was stuck in the last corral my first year of running Peachtree when I foolishly did not submit a time. In the group was Clark Howard and the 'Howard's Heroes' and they were busy having a lively discussion about coupons. Trying to run from there was futile.

mdawg - the logistics are really not bad. You just have to know where to go. If you take Marta, realize that the stations at the 'end' (Sandy Springs and Doraville) of the lines are most crowded. Go to Dunwoody, or Chamblee stations. Or...park in Midtown and take train to start. This way, you don't have to get stuffed in the Marta train with thousands of smelly, sweaty people after the race. I have parked at Ansley Mall (walking distance to Piedmont Park, it's free, plus there's a post-race party at Phidippides Running store in the mall afterward), jogged to Marta station for morning warm-up, then hopped on northbound train to Lenox sta. to get to start. Very easy.

I agree, logistics aren't really that bad and I'm one of the ones who ends up on Marta with thousands of smelly people! LOL! I live in Gainesville, so we get on Marta at Northsprings. I have done it this way for years, but really am interested in an easier method, especially reading how you do it.

My questions: Which Marta station do you use to ride from Ansley Mall to Lenox? Also, do a lot of people park at Ansley Mall and therefore it's tough to find a spot? We don't ever have an issue parking at Northsprings, but sheesh... we get there early. We usually leave home about 5:15am. It takes us about 45 minutes to get to Northsprings, and then all that ensues from there. Our wait to start once we're in our wave group is usually at least an hour, but we really can't arrive any later and still park at Northsprings.

Arts Center Station is closest to Ansley (approx 1.25 mi--a nice warm up jog). from mall lot, go south (right) on Piedmont toward Piedmont park. Go east (right) on 14th (directly across from park gate). Then north (right) on W Ptree st. after the race, I exit the back the park at the 14th st gate and it's just a short walk to the car (And the Phidippides party and Starbucks, bagel shops, etc). Never had problem finding spots to park and the northbound trains are much less crowded. Exit at Lenox (follow signage toward JW Marriott) and you will enter street on east side of Lenox mall going with flow of foot traffic entering corrals. Other options : there are many $3 pay box lots along Spring st between the Arts Center and Midtown Marta stations If parking close to train sta is more desireable.

I have had many post Ptree Marta trips with the throngs of smelly people. The looks on the faces of unsuspecting train riders trying to board is priceless!! You would think that they would have known...

Dr Bart, Thanks so much for the info! You'd think after 13 years we would have figured out a better method than the Northsprings Marta crush, but every year it seems we just do what we know.

I'm going to try your method this time. Appreciate the advice! Again, congrats and good luck with your pregnancy! Is this your first? My "baby" runs the Peachtree with me every year. He'll be 27 this July 3rd!

This year will be my ninth PRR. I've run it every year since 2006. It's a bit of a family tradition we have several who run it every year.

Lottery smottery. Atlanta Track Club members can register ahead of the lottery. Since ATC has some free races through the year for members plus they do some good community stuff, so IMHO it's worth it by itself. The PRR guaranteed registration is a nice side benefit.

Transportation logistics: It's been a while since I've used MARTA (we have a dedicated spectator who drops everyone off then parks near the 10th St leg). Used to Oglethorpe was okay if you got there early (need to come in the back way). Easy walk to the start, with a bonus of being shorter the later your start wave.

I have had many post Ptree Marta trips with the throngs of smelly people. The looks on the faces of unsuspecting train riders trying to board is priceless!! You would think that they would have known...

Yep, I've done that before too, and it is pretty funny. Now I live a short walk from the finish and don't experience that part any more. But I'm sure I'll walk to the party at Phidippides afterward again like last year.

Got my race # assignment this weekend! 314 it is! Don't know what color bib since I opted to pick it up before the race. I've had an injured ankle (probably from the excess baby weight) but still hoping to make it out there!

For those interested in pre-race parking/logistics: I received an email from Kevin at Phidippides Running store (Ansley Mall) regarding parking. The store is providing a low-cost shuttle service to the start line if you want to park at Ansley Mall and don't want to walk/run to Marta station to get to start. Personally, I don't mind the walk to the train (a little over 1 mile). Ansley mall is a short walk from the back of Piedmont Park and easy to get in/out post race. Details below:

Get on Board!

Back by popular demand, Phidippides is offering a shuttle bus from Ansley Mall to the start of the Peachtree Road Race on July 4th.

Park your car at Ansley Mall ride the bus to the start and after the race walk the mile cooldown back to Ansley for our After Party!

Space is limited so call or stop by Phidippides Ansley Mall (875-4268) to purchase your spot on the bus!

Good luck in the race! My son and I have run it together for the past 13 years. Unfortunately, he has a convention for work this year and he will be out of town the whole 4th weekend. Bummer! Not only will he not get to run the P'Tree, he'll be away for his birthday on the 3rd. Ahhh.... they just grow up and become part of the "real world" too soon!

Hope everyone has been getting in some hotter runs to get acclimated. The long term forecast looks like Atlanta is turning into Hades next week. Mid to upper 90's and lows around 74/75. Going to be a hot race!

Hope everyone has been getting in some hotter runs to get acclimated. The long term forecast looks like Atlanta is turning into Hades next week. Mid to upper 90's and lows around 74/75. Going to be a hot race!

I saw the forecast last night and thought, "Uh oh".... looks like this will be one of the hotter ones." (Although, they're ALL hot!) I run every morning at 7:50am, which is when my wave starts. I'm a pretty good hot weather runner though. It's the cold that slays me.

I do most of my training in the evenings, so usually in temps in the 80s. Speedwork I do at 6pm, so those workouts have been in upper 80s (or I think once above 90) in quite a bit of sun. I've also done tempo runs on Saturday afternoon.

It is going to be warm, but I think it will affect people in later start waves more. The lows are not ideal, but they are only a couple degrees higher than what we've been seeing. I think if I hydrate well, take advantage of sprinklers on the course, and stick to my pacing plan, I can still expect a decent time.

Ankle improving so at worst I will be able to walk. Goal is to run (albeit not fast) the whole way. Planning to enjoy the sights and spectators along the way this time....maybe even take a donut from the group in front of Publix. Perhaps I will even see Meb pass by. DH is excited because he will be participating in a special race against Meb the day before the race. It is a quarter mile race on an ElliptiGo at Piedmont Park. DH is a runner but not to good at handling bikes and such so this should be interesting. He might not beat Meb, but maybe he can at least beat the other corporate big wigs.

I would love to see Meb. From what I understand though, he's starting in the last wave? That means I'll be finished before he even starts. I thought about maybe hanging around the finish line when I'm done so I can see him. I love what he's doing! Cool!

Good luck tomorrow! Weather conditions looking typically hot (but maybe less humidity). At least the park should be in good shape this year!

I was hoping to run but went to doc yesterday and had another foot xray. Now have a diagnosis...it's broken (distal fibula). It's been several weeks and it's starting to heal but I cannot run on it. This will be my year to walk and enjoy the sights for once. Still looking forward to the big party in the park! Maybe I'll see some of y'all there!!

JeannieM - DH did well but he got beat by Meb (...and the channel 11 traffic guy...and the rep from the governor's office). We had ample time to mingle with Meb (and Carrie Tollefson who was the announcer for the event). Meb was gracious and autographed some items for us he seems to be a class act!

Amy, sorry about your foot. I've actually always wanted to walk the P'Tree, but won't let myself. This was the perfect year for you to have to walk. How did you enjoy it? I bet you were better able to appreciate all the bands and sights along the way.

That's great that you got to meet Meb and that he was such a nice guy! I haven't heard how many people he passed yet. Have you?

The starting temps were awesome! I can't remember a Peachtree so chilly! I was actually shivering a bit while waiting to start. That's a first. Of course I did not mind it a bit! The official results are not up yet. I didn't do a good job of remembering the exact times I crossed the start and the finish. I know my wave started at the 20 minute mark, and I crossed the finish line at 1:20, but I was at the back of my wave which means that I started at maybe 21 minutes? I guess it's safe to say I ran it in just under an hour, which was my goal. The official times are not up yet. (Not sure why it's taking so long.... the website doesn't even want to load.)

We went by the ATC tent to claim our prize, and never could even figure out what it was. (Last year's Tervis tumbler was cool!) Maybe a photo? There was a line a mile long to get a photo of some sort inside the tent, but we opted to head for home.

The starting temps were awesome! I can't remember a Peachtree so chilly! I was actually shivering a bit while waiting to start. That's a first. Of course I did not mind it a bit! The official results are not up yet. I didn't do a good job of remembering the exact times I crossed the start and the finish. I know my wave started at the 20 minute mark, and I crossed the finish line at 1:20, but I was at the back of my wave which means that I started at maybe 21 minutes? I guess it's safe to say I ran it in just under an hour, which was my goal. The official times are not up yet. (Not sure why it's taking so long.... the website doesn't even want to load.)

There must have been an error in the timing system. The unofficial results were posted for a while earlier today; I timed myself at 58:24, but my chip time was listed as 58:38. Based on the comments at the ATC's social media pages, everybody's times were consistently 15 seconds or so off.

Jeanne Marie- Looks like the fixed the results. I had a watch time of 41:56 but the result last night showed a 42:10. Today, it's a 41:54. I'll take it. New course PR, top 1000 finish and I've re-qualified for the sub-seeded wave next year.

My time was corrected to 46:53. I'm very pleased considering how packed the start was. Very fun time and ideal conditions.

I also felt like the start was more packed than usual for some reason. I "shuffled" for at least the first 5 minutes it seemed like. I wonder what the difference was, because past years didn't seem that bad.

My time was corrected to 46:53. I'm very pleased considering how packed the start was. Very fun time and ideal conditions.

I also felt like the start was more packed than usual for some reason. I "shuffled" for at least the first 5 minutes it seemed like. I wonder what the difference was, because past years didn't seem that bad.

Strangely enough, I thought my start wave was less packed than what I'm used to at the Peachtree. Then again, I was in the "D" wave after never being no better than the "G" wave in previous years. It felt odd to not be corralled near the two-story Target for once.

My time was corrected to 46:53. I'm very pleased considering how packed the start was. Very fun time and ideal conditions.

I also felt like the start was more packed than usual for some reason. I "shuffled" for at least the first 5 minutes it seemed like. I wonder what the difference was, because past years didn't seem that bad.

Strangely enough, I thought my start wave was less packed than what I'm used to at the Peachtree. Then again, I was in the "D" wave after never being no better than the "G" wave in previous years. It felt odd to not be corralled near the two-story Target for once.

I was in "E", right behind you. I'm not sure why some waves seemed more crowded. I was in the same wave last year, and don't remember it being that way. Oh well. I figure I lost a couple of minutes time in that early crush, but that's just the nature of the Peachtree.

JeannieM - I tried to race-walk the course and had a great time. I started in my assigned corral but stayed as far right as possible. Had plenty of room there and no one tried to run me over. I saw some friends along the way and took time to notice the sights that I usually dash past. Got blessed by the priest and made an effort to high-5 all the Shepherd Center patients who came out to cheer and watch.

The part I didn't like was being passed my masses of people. It was really tempting me to run but I knew I had to be kind to my foot and let it heal. If not for the broken bone, I'm sure I could have had a nice run. Ended up finishing in 1:08:34--not bad for walking (helps to have long legs!)

The ATC giveaway this year was a photo and magnet frame. Not bad. DH stopped by to visit friends and the line went fairly quickly. Here is what we got (minus the magnet frame):

Love the photo! We just weren't patient enough to stand there. The line was quite long when we were around. My friend and I managed to pose for about 10 Marathonfoto photographers along the way, so we are not in need of any more photos. I'll post a couple of those after I buy the downloads.

Glad you enjoyed taking your time. The year I ran it with a cast on my broken wrist I did the same thing. I made a special effort to high five all the Shepard Center patients also. My FIL was a patient there many years ago and I have always been a big supporter. It felt cool to connect with them as someone who was also injured. I think my time that year was 1:05 or something like that.

You are a fast walker, that's for sure! There are people who "run" that don't finish as fast as you walk. Glad you were able to be there and good luck with the baby. (When are you due?) Keep us posted!

Wow, the weather was crazy good. I was almost chilly at the finish when then breeze blew. Did everyone see the giant guy dressed in the peach costume by the peaches? My buddy asked him and he said he was 7'2". He's been there the last 4 or 5 years. The strawberry-banana popsicles might have been the best I've ever had.

It was really nice to walk around an not be in a mud pit. Just perfect weather at the finish.

My one small, entirely nit-picky complaint is the top 1000 finisher's mug (yes, I know they don't have to do anything). It's a dumb size. Last year was a giant mug which is great for post run drinks - holds over 20 oz easily. Or give me a regular coffee mug and I'll happily use it. But this it a tall coffee mug - too small to use for filling up a big drink but it's too tall to fit under the coffee maker at home or work. Really stupid design. Into a back closet never to be used.

I've never, ever run a Peachtree where I could say I was chilly. I felt the same thing at the end when I was sweaty and a breeze blew.... chill bumps! Wow!

I have a question for those of you who use a Garmin or running app to track the Peachtree. This is the 2nd year in a row that I've gotten a reading of 6.51 miles. Last year was a different phone and a different app, so I know it's not that. I'm pretty sure I didn't zig-zag an extra 3/10ths of a mile. What's up with that? Anybody else get similar results on the distance?

Jeanne- I got 6.30 miles and a buddy got 6.38. Congestion probably had something to do with it. Weaving in and out adds extra distance. I was actually grateful for the congestion at the end because I went out too fast as it was.

My Garmin Forerunner 620 set the distance covered as 6.37 miles. The only noticeable zig-zag moment on the course was running between the hotels in the first half-mile, where I glanced at my watch and saw I was running a sub-6:00 pace. There was a little wobbling between Colony Square and 10th Street I noticed on the map after the fact, but not enough that I could discern it during the race.